Duke football’s 2026 season opener is six days away as the Blue Devils look to improve on a 9-5 season and ACC title last year. The opening game against Tulane will be a rematch of last year’s matchup, a 34-27 victory by the Green Wave in New Orleans.
Both teams enter the season with question marks at the most important position on the field: quarterback. After helping lead Duke to its first outright ACC title since 1962 last season, Darian Mensah abruptly entered the transfer portal and signed with conference rival Miami.
Tulane is coming off an appearance in the College Football Playoff, but must replace Jake Retzlaff, who threw for 3,168 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. The Green Wave also had to find a replacement for head coach Jon Sumrall,
who left for the same position at Florida. He was replaced by Will Hall, who served as Tulane’s passing coordinator last season.
With all the unanswered questions, Duke is still a heavy favorite over Tulane, with Vegas odds currently having the Blue Devils as 9.5-point favorites over the Green Wave.
Duke and Tulane kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET in Wallace Wade Stadium on the ACC Network.
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This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Duke opens as big favorites against Tulane in 2026 season opener
